Super Rugby

Super Rugby, governed by SANZAR, is the largest and most competitive rugby union competition in the southern hemisphere with 15 sides, comprised of five teams from Australia, South Africa and New Zealand competing.

The competition was originally founded in 1996 as Super 12 – an expansion of the South Pacific Championship that began in 1986 – and continued with 12 teams until 2005. In 2006 the competition was expanded and renamed Super 14 with two new franchises, the Western Force (Perth) and Central Cheetahs (Free State and Northern Cape Province), entering the competition following ongoing negotiations in 2005.

In 2009, following prolonged discussion, SANZAR announced its intentions to expand the competition to 15 teams in 2011 with the last franchise to be the Rebels, based in Melbourne. The competition was consequently rebranded Super Rugby, but is colloquially referred to as the ‘Super 15’. SANZAR has hinted at further expanding the competition in 2016 with sides possibly coming from either Argentina, Japan, the U.S.

The 2013 Super Rugby competition was won by the Chiefs, who defeated the Brumbies 27-22 to claim their second consecutive Super Rugby title. From its inception, the competition has been dominated by New Zealand sides – winning a combined 12 from 18 on 16 of 18 finals appearances. From New Zealand the Crusaders are the competitions most successful side winning seven titles. The Bulls remain South Africa’s most successful side winning three titles and the Brumbies are Australia’s most successful with two. Only six sides have ever won a Super Rugby championship.

Crusader and All Black Dan Carter stands as the competitions highest point scorer (1,533); Doug Howlett the top try scorer (59); Dan Carter has kicked the most conversions (185); and Andrew Mehrtens has kicked the most penalties (202). The competition is renowned for attacking, physical rugby and is praised internationally for its flare and spectacular tries.

Super Rugby Articles

More cavalry has arrived for the embattled Queensland Reds with Karmichael Hunt and Liam Gill set to face the Melbourne Rebels on Friday and Rob Simmons to join them on their forthcoming tour of South Africa.

A journalist friend of mine, who loves the Waratahs and the Wallabies, sent me this email last week: “Something that might be worth pointing out is that I think only one Australia vs overseas Super Rugby side has gone our way this season. That was, I think, Rebels vs Crusaders.”

Wallabies coach Michael Cheika is looking forward to Stephen Larkham’s “awesome” input as they join forces officially for the first time to plot an unprecedented third Australian Rugby World Cup triumph.

More cavalry has arrived for the embattled Queensland Reds with Karmichael Hunt and Liam Gill set to face the Melbourne Rebels on Friday and Rob Simmons to join them on their forthcoming tour of South Africa.